Post by Guvmintcheeze on Sept 18, 2015 19:27:04 GMT
After trade surprised him, WR Keshawn Martin settles in with Patriots
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Wide receiver Keshawn Martin recalled Friday taking a pre-draft visit to the New England Patriots in 2012 when he was coming out of Michigan State, a reflection of how closely the team had scouted him that year.
That background contributed to the Patriots acquiring Martin in a trade with the Houston Texans this week, with Martin participating in his first practice in New England on Friday.
“I didn’t really expect it, honestly,” said Martin, who was part of a numbers crunch at the position in Houston. “It’s a business, and things like this happen every day. You’ll never really get used to it, but you just have to deal with it. That’s what I’m going to do -- make the best of my opportunity.”
As one would expect, Martin said there are similarities between the Patriots’ offense and what the Texans run under second-year head coach Bill O’Brien.
Martin arrived in town Thursday and worked as a kickoff and punt returner in practice Friday, but isn’t sure if he’ll be thrown right into the mix this Sunday against the Bills.
“It’s kind of crazy when you think about it, but you have to be ready at the drop of a dime to go,” he said. “If my number is called, I’m going to be ready.”
Asked to describe himself as a player, Martin said, “Smart guy; I feel like I can make a lot of big plays out there.”
Earlier Friday, coach Bill Belichick noted Martin’s experience, playing as an inside and outside receiver, as well as his work as a returner. Belichick seemed to hint that Martin is more likely to see time as a kickoff returner than punt returner, and noted that he runs well.
Belichick said the team’s evaluation of Martin, from coming out of Michigan State to now, has been consistent.
“It isn’t like it’s been a big roller-coaster ride in any area,” he said. “I think what he was in college and how he’s performed in the NFL has all been pretty consistent [and] I think that makes it a relatively easy evaluation of the player. And he’s young, so age isn’t really a big factor here. Or injuries, for that matter.”
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Wide receiver Keshawn Martin recalled Friday taking a pre-draft visit to the New England Patriots in 2012 when he was coming out of Michigan State, a reflection of how closely the team had scouted him that year.
That background contributed to the Patriots acquiring Martin in a trade with the Houston Texans this week, with Martin participating in his first practice in New England on Friday.
“I didn’t really expect it, honestly,” said Martin, who was part of a numbers crunch at the position in Houston. “It’s a business, and things like this happen every day. You’ll never really get used to it, but you just have to deal with it. That’s what I’m going to do -- make the best of my opportunity.”
As one would expect, Martin said there are similarities between the Patriots’ offense and what the Texans run under second-year head coach Bill O’Brien.
Martin arrived in town Thursday and worked as a kickoff and punt returner in practice Friday, but isn’t sure if he’ll be thrown right into the mix this Sunday against the Bills.
“It’s kind of crazy when you think about it, but you have to be ready at the drop of a dime to go,” he said. “If my number is called, I’m going to be ready.”
Asked to describe himself as a player, Martin said, “Smart guy; I feel like I can make a lot of big plays out there.”
Earlier Friday, coach Bill Belichick noted Martin’s experience, playing as an inside and outside receiver, as well as his work as a returner. Belichick seemed to hint that Martin is more likely to see time as a kickoff returner than punt returner, and noted that he runs well.
Belichick said the team’s evaluation of Martin, from coming out of Michigan State to now, has been consistent.
“It isn’t like it’s been a big roller-coaster ride in any area,” he said. “I think what he was in college and how he’s performed in the NFL has all been pretty consistent [and] I think that makes it a relatively easy evaluation of the player. And he’s young, so age isn’t really a big factor here. Or injuries, for that matter.”